‘Taliban’ gunmen storm Bacha Khan University; at least 21 dead, all attackers killed

Mangalore Today News Network

Islamabad, Jan 20, 2016: A group of militants stormed a university in volatile northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday using the cover of thick fog, police said, with firing inside the campus still going on and two explosions heard.

 

Agencies reported that at least 21 are dead and all the attackers have been killed. The Tehreek-e-Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan media reports that 60-70 students were shot in the head by terrorists.

Speaking to Reuters, Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir said the Army and police had moved into the university and a gunfight with the attackers was under way. He said it was unclear how many gunmen were involved.

One professor is reported to be killed in the attack.

Pakistan media reports that 50 have been injured in the terror attack and have been shifted to Charsadda District HQ hospital

Media reported that three gunmen entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels.

The Bacha Khan University in Charsadda is about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the city of Peshawar.

Reports say that firing was still going on inside the campus where students, teachers and administration staff are present.

Television images showed female students clutching hands as they fled the university, with traffic blocked on the roads of Charsadda as security forces rushed towards the campus.

According to some reports two explosions were heard inside the university.

Geo TV reports that five injured have been taken out from the university.

It further said that over 3000 students were present inside the university when the attack happened.

Security officials have cordoned off the area and students are being evacuated from classes.

Peshawar was the location of Pakistan`s deadliest ever extremist attack, when Taliban gunmen stormed an army-run school in December last year and slaughtered more than 150 people, most of them children, in an hours-long siege.